"He had better not come here!" cried the servant, menacingly, and putting his hand where the knife was _not_. "Beware of your own anger, Giacomo. One act of violence, and you would be transported from England, and your master would lose a friend." Jackeymo seemed struck by this caution. "And if the Padrone were to meet him, do you think the Padrone would meekly say, 'Come sta sa Signoria.' The Padrone would strike him dead!" "Hush--hush! You speak of what, in England, is called murder, and is punished by the gallows. If you really love your master, for heaven's sake, get him from this place--get him from all chance of such passion and peril. I go to town to-morrow; I will find him a house that shall be safe from all spies--all discovery. And there, too, my friend, I can do--what I can not at this distance--watch over him, and keep watch also on his enemy." Jackeymo seized Randal's hand, and lifted it toward his lip; then, as if struck by a sudden suspicion, dropped the hand, and said bluntly: "Signior, I think you have seen the Padrone twice. Why do you take this interest in him?" "Is it so uncommon to take interest even in a stranger who is menaced by some peril?" Jackeymo, who believed little in general philanthropy, shook his head skeptically. "Besides," continued Randal, suddenly bethinking himself of a more plausible reason: "besides, I am a friend and connection of Mr. Egerton; and Mr. Egerton's most intimate friend is Lord L'Estrange; and I have heard that Lord L'Estrange--" "The good lord! Oh, now I understand," interrupted Jackeymo, and his brow cleared. "Ah, if _he_ were in England! But you will let us know when he comes?" "Certainly. Now, tell me, Giacomo, is this Count really unprincipled and dangerous? Remember, I know him not personally." "He has neither heart, head, nor conscience." "That makes him dangerous to men; but to women, danger comes from other qualities. Could it be possible, if he obtained any interview with the Signora, that he could win her affections?" Jackeymo crossed himself rapidly, and made no answer. "I have heard that he is still very handsome." Jackeymo groaned. Randal resumed: "Enough; persuade the Padrone to come to town." "But if the Count is in town?" "That makes no difference; the safest place is always the largest city. Every where else a foreigner is in himself an object of attention and curiosity." "True." "Let your master, then, come to London. He can reside in one of the suburbs most remote from the Count's haunts. In two days I will have found him a lodging and write to him. You trust to me now?" "I do indeed--I do, Excellency. Ah, if the Signorina were married, we would not care!" "Married! But she looks so high!" "Alas! not now--not here!" Randal sighed heavily. Jackeymo's eyes sparkled. He thought he had detected a new motive for Randal's interest--a motive to an Italian the most natural, the most laudable of all.